The Key She Could Never Give Me Chapter 07

The Key She Could Never Give Me Chapter 07

Six months later, the company started preparing to expand into Sloane’s city.

During a meeting, Director Claire Donovan asked me,

“Would you be willing to go

back?

I closed the file in front of me.

“Yes.”

I wasn’t going back to settle old scores.

I was going back to open a restaurant.

The new location was right near the flagship location.

One of the contractors held up the floor plan and asked where I wanted the workstations.

I crouched on the floor, adjusting the layout without looking up.

“Leave this area open.”

“Otherwise it’ll jam up during the rush.”

“And don’t put the refrigerator next to the hot station.”

“We’ll end up with too much waste.”

They took notes while calling me Mr. Mercer.

That was when Sloane showed up.

She stood outside the door without coming in.

She waited until I finished, then walked over.

“Blake, can we talk?”

I checked the time.

“Ten minutes.”

We stood on the steps outside the restaurant.

She was much thinner than before.

Her sleeves were rolled up, and she was holding a document folder.

“I know you don’t want to hear me explain.”

“But I still want to say this.”

“I’m sorry.”

I said nothing.

She paused for a few seconds before continuing.

“I redid the house.”

“Jase and Emma are moving out soon.”

“The primary bedroom is empty.”

“And this time, the key won’t…”

“Sloane.”

I cut her off.

“That’s your house.”

“Who you let live there has nothing to do with me.”

Her grip tightened around the folder.

“I know you’re still angry with me.”

“But I’ve changed.”

She opened the folder, took out the ring box, and held it toward me.

“I had it resized.”

“Give me one more chance.”

I looked at the ring in silence…

Years ago, I’d spent hours scrolling through pages of men’s wedding bands.

I’d even used a piece of string to measure my finger in secret.

Back then, I’d thought once I put that ring on, we’d finally have a future.

Now it sat in front of me.

And it just felt unfamiliar.

“I don’t want it.”

The color slowly drained from Sloane’s face.

“Blake, I’ll give you the house.”

“I’ll give up the restaurant too.”

“I’ll go to another city with you if that’s what you want.”

I looked at her.

“I never wanted you to wait until you lost me, then offer me more things to make up for it.”

“What I wanted was simple.”

“In the one-bedroom apartment. Then the two-bedroom. Then the three-bedroom house.”

“I wanted you to choose me.”

“Just once.”

“But you never did.”

Her eyes slowly filled with tears.

“I know that now.”

I gave a small nod.

“But I don’t need it anymore.”

Just then, Jase walked over-with Emma.

He was holding a set of keys.

The moment he saw me, his expression stiffened.

Then he handed the keys to Sloane

“I’m moving out today.”

He turned to me.

“Blake, I owe you an apology.”

“I knew it was unfair to you back then.”

“But I was so desperate to hold on to something that I pretended not to see it.”

His voice was quiet, like he was finally admitting something he’d known all along.

“The house.”

“The title at the restaurant.”

“Sloane taking care of me.”

“I took all of it.”

“And I kept using what I was going through as an excuse.”

I looked at him.

“Having a hard time doesn’t mean everyone else has to step aside for you.”

His voice caught slightly, but this time, he didn’t cry.

“I know.”

“From now on, I’ll figure things out myself.”

Emma hid behind his leg and looked at me.

“Uncle Blake, I’m sorry.”

I didn’t reach down to pat her head.

I just looked at her.

“Don’t step on other people’s things again.”

Jase took her hand and walked away.

Sloane was still standing there.

“Blake, he’s gone now.”

“The biggest thing between us is gone.”

I looked at her, my voice calm.

“He was never the biggest problem.”

“It was you putting me after everyone else.”

“Again and again.”

Someone called from inside the restaurant.

“Mr. Mercer, the fire inspector’s here.”

I turned toward the door.

Behind me, Sloane called my name.

I stopped for a second.

But I didn’t turn around.

“I’m back for work.”

“Not to get back together with you,”

The glass door slowly closed between us.

This time, I was the one standing on the inside.